Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians Colleges Under $20,000

St Petersburg College stands out with a remarkable negative net price of $52, meaning students actually receive money after aid to attend this veterinary technology program. This extreme outlier contrasts sharply with most programs in this field, where costs typically range from $9,000 to $19,000 annually. The veterinary technician field benefits from steady demand across all regions, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 19% growth through 2031, much faster than average occupations. Public universities dominate affordable options, with schools like Murray State University and Morehead State University offering quality programs under $11,000. Graduation rates vary significantly, from 23% at University of Maine at Augusta to 83% at Purdue University, suggesting program structure and student support differ substantially. Earnings potential ranges from $26,048 to $39,009 for recent graduates, with some programs like St Petersburg College and Purdue University producing higher-earning technicians. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona achieves a 67% graduation rate while maintaining costs around $11,580, demonstrating that affordable programs can still deliver strong outcomes for aspiring veterinary professionals.

Programs

$-52 – $19,889

Net Price Range

$31,230

Avg. Program Earnings

53.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, Florida	$-52	$2,682	37.5%
2	Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus Gurabo, Puerto Rico	$7,668	$6,920	30.2%
3	Murray State University Murray, Kentucky	$9,121	$9,708	59.5%	84.0%
4	Morehead State University Morehead, Kentucky	$10,089	$9,838	47.7%	84.0%
5	Texas A & M University-Kingsville Kingsville, Texas	$10,204	$9,892	45.6%	96.6%
6	Texas A & M University-Commerce Commerce, Texas	$11,268	$10,026	45.9%	86.5%
7	University of Maine at Augusta Augusta, Maine	$11,353	$8,618	23.3%
8	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, California	$11,580	$7,439	66.7%	55.4%
9	Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Georgia	$11,609	$5,392	45.2%	43.1%
10	University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo Arecibo, Puerto Rico	$11,759	$5,324	50.7%	60.0%
11	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
12	SUNY College of Technology at Canton Canton, New York	$15,001	$8,689	44.1%	94.9%
13	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi	$15,501	$9,815	62.9%	75.2%
14	Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, New York	$15,770	$22,106	48.1%	85.9%
15	North Dakota State University-Main Campus Fargo, North Dakota	$16,334	$10,857	63.7%	95.7%
16	Siena Heights University Adrian, Michigan	$17,185	$29,778	51.1%	65.0%
17	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi Delhi, New York	$17,387	$8,710	48.0%	83.2%
18	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	$17,424	$10,108	65.8%	78.6%
19	Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, Tennessee	$17,999	$26,150	53.9%	78.5%
20	Kent State University at Kent Kent, Ohio	$19,614	$12,846	65.5%	88.0%
21	University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri	$19,889	$14,130	76.2%	79.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes St Petersburg College's veterinary technology program financially unique?

St Petersburg College offers a net price of negative $52, meaning students receive more in financial aid than the program costs. The in-state tuition sits at just $2,682, and graduates earn $39,009 annually on average. This strong value stems from Florida's solid state aid programs and the college's commitment to workforce development in healthcare fields.

How do graduation rates compare between low-cost veterinary technology programs?

Graduation rates span a wide range, from University of Maine at Augusta's 23% to Purdue University's 83%. Murray State University achieves nearly 60% graduation rates at $9,121 net cost, while California State Polytechnic University-Pomona reaches 67% at $11,580. Programs with higher completion rates often provide more structured clinical experiences and career placement services.

Is debt load manageable for veterinary technology graduates?

Most affordable programs keep debt reasonable, with figures like $16,856 at Purdue University and $21,378 at North Dakota State University. St Petersburg College graduates carry $25,404 in debt but earn $39,009 annually, creating a favorable debt-to-income ratio. The key lies in choosing programs where earnings potential justifies borrowing levels.

Does geographic location affect veterinary technology program costs and outcomes?

Regional differences are significant, with Puerto Rico schools like Universidad Ana G. Mendez offering programs around $7,668 net cost. Southern states like Texas provide multiple affordable options under $12,000 through their A&M system campuses. Northern schools such as SUNY Canton cost $15,001 but graduates earn $28,598 in markets with higher veterinary service demand.

Where do public universities offer the best value in veterinary technology education?

Murray State University delivers strong value at $9,121 net cost with 59% graduation rates and $26,048 graduate earnings. Purdue University costs $13,945 but produces graduates earning $37,856 with 83% completion rates. Fort Valley State University provides another solid option at $11,609 with graduates earning $30,771 annually in growing Southeastern veterinary markets.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.